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Watch & Clock Museum Beyer Zurich (Switzerland) (Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich)
Phone
Tel. 043 344 63 63 Fax 043 344 63 64
Location
Bahnhofstrasse 31, CH 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
Directions
In the center of downtown Zurich, on one of Europe's most fashionable shopping boulevards. The Bahnhofstrasse
is closed to private vehicles. If arriving by car, park at any of the downtown parking structures (e.g.
Lindenhof parking) and walk a few blocks.
Hours
Hours Monday through Friday 14.00 to 18.00. (Note: store is open Monday through Friday 09.00 to 18.30,
Saturday 09.00 to 16.00). No admission charge.
Admission
CHF 5. for adults
Children up to 12 years free
Groups: every 6th person free
Description
This is the private collection of Theodore Beyer, the current owner of the oldest Watch and Clock store
(started 1760) in Switzerland. Located in 3 spacious rooms on the basement level of the luxury retail
store. (Visit also the antique clock department of the store on the second floor, with masterpieces retailing
for SFr 5000.- to SFr 100'000.-) The Museum -- separate from the salesrooms -- contains several hundred
timepieces. The emphasis is on covering all eras and styles of timekeeping by showing the systematic history
of timekeeping. Although technically a private collection, all pieces are of museum quality. The exhibit
starts with nonmechanical timekeepers (sun dials, hour glasses etc). They have a working replica of the
1364 Dondi planetary clock. There are several very early German and Swiss wrought iron and wooden clocks,
glorious renaissance clocks (7 from Augsburg, mid to late 1500s), A Thompion (1690) Bracket clock. Another
highlight is a 1775 Berthoud Marine Chronometer, longcases and skeleton clocks. There are several excellent
French and Geneva Pocketwatches from the late 1700s to the early 1800s , including a Breguet, (some in
enameled cases). The collection also includes oddities, like an original Congreve rolling ball clock,
watches made 100% from ivory or hardwood etc., as well as some Automata.
A guide to the Museum (in German, French and English) was published in book form: Antike Uhren,
96 p., hardcover, many illustrations in color. Published by Callwey Verlag, Munich Germany, ISBN 3 7667
06373
Evaluation:
Worth a detour for any serious horologist. Clearly the best horological exhibit in the city of Zurich
(if you are in the area don't miss the Kellenberger Clock Collection in Winterthur, about an hour's drive
or 30 Minutes by train from Zuerich). Not a very big museum, but nearly every piece is of extraordinary
quality or historical significance. Plan to spend about one hour for a casual stroll through, two hours
for a look at every exhibit. The attendent is very helpful, will make pieces run, etc, once he realizes
the visitor is seriously interested.
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